News•Feb 16, 2026
The Rising Burden of Elder Care in the United States
The United States faces a growing elder‑care burden as the population ages. About 29% of adults 65 and older report difficulty with daily activities, rising to 60% for those 85+, while roughly one‑quarter of those in need receive no care. Informal, unpaid family caregivers shoulder most of the load, and total paid long‑term‑care spending reached 1.1% of GDP in 2023, largely funded by Medicaid. Declining nursing‑home capacity and a workforce paid near the poverty line exacerbate the challenge.
